English Reference
Adjective

unproven

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ənˈpɹuvən/ UK /ʌnpɹˈuːvən/ un·proven

adj.not having been shown to be true or correct yet. You use this to describe a theory or a medicine that has not been tested enough to be certain.

adj.not having been established as true or valid through evidence or testing. Often used to describe scientific hypotheses or medical treatments that lack sufficient empirical support.


SIMPLE

The new medicine is still unproven.

CONTEXTUAL

Scientists are testing the theory, but it remains unproven until more data is collected.

COMPLEX

While the initial results were promising, the treatment remains unproven and is currently only available to patients participating in a controlled clinical trial.

The amended law was an attempt by state Republicans to crack down on unproven claims of voting by noncitizens.

Al Jazeera· 25 Aug 2026

From un- + proven.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated